Pro Football Focus: Royce Freeman In The Early Conversation For Heisman, Barely

When it comes to the race for the 2016 Heisman Trophy, it appears that Running Back Royce Freeman will have to prove himself this season.

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The 2016 Season kicks off in just over a month and among the lists for Preseason Accolades, one name appears to be either absent or well out of the running. Many believe the cream of the crop in the Pac-12 this season will be Christian McCaffrey and why not? Following his record performance in the Rose Bowl last season he is primed for a breakout season. However, one Running Back is getting overlooked not just in the Pac-12, but across the country.

While Running Back Royce Freeman and McCaffrey seemed like the best of friends at Pac-12 Media Days last week, Freeman is not getting near the amount of attention he should. Is it because the Oregon Ducks were chosen to finish third in the Pac-12 North – behind the Washington Huskies and Stanford Cardinal?

Pro Football Focus looked at Early Heisman Trophy Candidates for 2016 and McCaffrey has his name at the top of the list. The second Rusher from the Pac-12, Freeman comes in at number seven.

"Freeman doesn’t have any one trait that stands out as special, especially when compared to the other top runners, but few 230-pounders can move like him and tacklers bounce off him as his 80 forced missed tackles ranked third in the nation a year agoPro Football Focus Discusses Why Freeman Is In The Conversation For The Heisman Trophy(via Pro Football Focus)"

I believe that Freeman is capable of a 2000 yard season in 2016, which would surely put him into the Heisman Trophy Conversation, especially if the Oregon Ducks are in the Pac-12 and National Title Conversation.

Next: Inter Milan, PSG Face Off Sunday In Eugene

The Oregon Ducks begin Fall Camp on August 8th. The first game of the 2016 Season against UC Davis is September 3rd(2pm PT, Pac-12 Networks)